SUMMARY
The high-flying Crows will be eyeing their second consecutive win at home when they host the Lions on Saturday night. Apart from the final five minutes, the Crows completely dominated Essendon last weekend on their way to a comfortable 82-point victory. Eddie Betts was in fine form with five goals, while the only concern was an ankle injury to star ruckman Sam Jacobs. Brisbane will be desperate to put up a better performance against their second South Australian opponent in as many weeks. The Lions’ huge loss to Port Adelaide undid all the good work from the previous week's victory over the Bombers. The Lions will keep blooding their youth as they build towards next season, but it's hard to see them being any match for a rampant Crows side with premiership aspirations.
WHERE AND WHEN: Adelaide Oval, Saturday, August 6, 7.10pm (ACST)
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2015, Adelaide 20.11 (131) d Brisbane Lions 6.8 (44) at Adelaide Oval
R13, 2015, Adelaide 11.16 (82) d Brisbane Lions 10.9 (69) at the Gabba
R20, 2014, Adelaide 25.18 (168) d Brisbane Lions 9.9 (63) at the Gabba
R2, 2013, Adelaide 14.12 (96) d Brisbane Lions 10.17 (77) at the Gabba
R21, 2012, Brisbane Lions 13.17 (95) d Adelaide 12.13 (85) at the Gabba
THE SIX POINTS
1. Crows captain Taylor Walker was unstoppable the last time the two teams met, kicking a career-high seven goals in Round 21 last year. The Crows kept the Lions scoreless in the second quarter before winning by 87 points.
2. Adelaide is the top-ranked centre clearance side this season, averaging 14 per game. The Lions have been competitive in this area, ranked sixth with 13.2 per game.
3. The Crows have won seven of the past nine games against the Lions. Overall, this will be the 29th game between the two teams, with the Crows winning 14 games to Brisbane's 15.
4. The Crows are the highest scoring side this season, kicking 110 points per game, while the Lions are ranked 14th with only 81 points per game.
5. The Lions aren't big fans of Adelaide Oval. They've played three games that have resulted in three huge losses – by 113, 87 and 77 points.
6. Adelaide midfielder Rory Sloane remains steady at eighth overall in the Schick AFL Player Ratings after picking up 33 possessions against Essendon last weekend. Brisbane Lions midfielder Dayne Zorko is the highest-ranked Lions player at 16th overall.
Stats that matter: Round 20 v Brisbane
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR… Pearce Hanley
The Irishman had just 15 possessions with only five of those contested in last weekend's humiliating loss to Port Adelaide. As one of the Lions' senior players, Hanley needs to stand up and set an example for the youngsters coming through.
AFL.COM.AU PREDICTION: Adelaide by 90 points
